“I shall not mind that, if she will only let me be with her a little; but I cannot bear to think of her shut up with only miserable thoughts to keep her company;” and here Bessie’s eyes filled with tears, for she was very sympathetic and soft-hearted.
“Then go to her, my dear, and I hope you may do her some good.” And Bessie went at once.
Just outside the door she met Richard; he was on his way to the drawing-room.
“I am going up to Edna,” she said, as he looked at her inquiringly. “Oh, Mr. Sefton, I am so sorry for her! She is making herself and every one else miserable.”
“I am more sorry for Sinclair,” he returned, and his face looked very stern as he spoke. “She has treated him abominably. Wait a moment, Miss Lambert,” as she seemed about to leave him; “there is no hurry, is there? and I have not spoken to you to-day. Do you think you are wise to mix yourself up in this? My mother is thinking more of Edna than of you, but you will do no good, and only make yourself miserable. Leave Edna alone to-night, and come and play to me instead.”
“Mr. Sefton, I never thought you could be so selfish.”
He laughed outright as Bessie said this very seriously.
“Never trust any man; we are all of us selfish. But to tell you the truth, I was not thinking of my own enjoyment at that minute. I wanted to save you an hour’s unpleasantness, but I see you prefer to make yourself miserable.”
“I think I do in the present instance,” returned Bessie quietly.
“Very well, have your own way; but if you take my advice, you will not waste your pity upon Edna. She is flinging away her happiness with her eyes open, just to gratify her temper. You see I can speak plainly, Miss Lambert, and call things by their right names. Just out of pride and self-will, she is bidding good-bye to one of the best fellows living, and all the time she knows that he is a good fellow. She won’t find another Neville Sinclair, I tell her.”